紫檀木鑲意大利彩色硬石及錫鑞黑檀木櫃，羅馬， 十七世紀中期，配喬治四世虎木鑲銅鎏金底座，由家具名匠莫雷爾與休斯 製作，約1823年；彩色硬石片出自十七世紀佛羅倫薩大公爵工坊

with a gilt-bronze balustraded gallery, the top with a rosewood veneered panel inlaid with pewter stringing similar to the sides above an arrangement of eight double-panelled drawers each concealing segreti centred by an architectural portico with a broken pediment above concealing a drawer, above a drawer mounted with an arched panel with a baluster vase and stylised scallopshell above flanked by gilt-bronze caryatids in drapery surmounted by composite Ionic and Corinthian capitals enclosing six secret drawers with one narrow drawer and a further drawer below with projecting blocks the front mounted by a c-scroll boss with a bust surmounted by three fleur-de-lis, the frieze applied with seven winged cherub terms, each drawer inset with hardstones inlaid in a geometric design within foliate cast gilt-bronze borders including lapis lazuli, various jaspers including Sicilian jaspers, cornelian, agate and calcedonia, the stand with a gilt-bronze border with a band of stylised foliage and geometric motifs, the frieze inset 17th century Florentine panels depicting parrots and a bird on fruiting branches within gilt-bronze foliate cast and beaded borders, each end with a roundel enclosing a stylised patera, on gadrooned and lobed turned tapering legs with foliate-cast gilt bronze collars, the leaf moulded platform with a mirrored back, the sides and base in pewter inlaid rosewood, the rear left leg of the stand with the inventory number in white 02042; some gilt-bronze mounts probably added by Morel and Hughes

此櫃可能由諾森伯蘭第一代公爵休（Hugh,1^st Duke of Northumberland ）（1714-1786年）及夫人伊麗莎白·佩西（1716-1776年）於1773年在意大利旅行期間購買；傳至諾森伯蘭公爵三世休·佩西（Hugh Percy）（1785-1847年），有可能是他在1823年添購了十七世紀佛羅倫薩硬石片，並鑲嵌於雷爾與休斯（Morel and Hughes）製作的底座。
自此家族收藏。此櫃曾置於米德爾塞克斯（Middlesex）的塞恩別墅（Syon House）畫廊（Print Room）內。

After the death of the 1st Duke in 1786, a cabinet recorded in the Inventory of Northumberland House, 1786, p.17, in the Crimson Damask Room, may well be the present piece, reproduced here in fig. 1, (The Archives of the Duke of Northumberland at Alnwick Castle Sy.H.VI.2.d):
A large Ebony Cabinet with Doors and Drawers in front, inlaid with Stones upon a gilt frame 6.6.

The Inventory of the Effects at Northumberland House, London, 1847, p.63 (Alnwick Sy.H.VIII.1.b) lists in the Ante Drawing Room:
A costly Cabinet richly inlaid with lapis lazuli and a variety of scarce Marbles, birds fruit &c and Ormolu figures, fitted with numerous Drawers, on Rosewood Stand, and looking Glass back
This description reflects the fact that the cabinet had a stand made for it by Morel and Hughes in around 1823.

Helen, 8^th Duchess of Northumberland, A Catalogue of Contents, Albury Park and 17 Princes Gate in the Collection of the Duke and Duchess of Northumberland, Privately Published,1930, where the cabinet is recorded  as `Cabinet mounted with panels of inlay in hard stones (pietra commessa), Italian 17^th century'‘ and illustrated, reproduced here in fig. 2.

In overall good conserved condition. A magnificent example of a Roman 17th century pietre dure cabinet. Cabinet: The choice of stones is most attractive with some very minor losses, for example, there is a minor section of lapis lazuli missing on the second drawer on the left side of the cabinet as visible from the catalogue photograph which can easily be replaced. There is a rectangular section of the hardstone missing on the drawer below the narrow drawer to the left side which is visible from the catalogue photograph and on the same drawer there is evidence of a previous mount on one side of the blocks. There are some very minor sections of ebony moulding missing generally eg. on the central section of the narrow drawer beneath the caryatids which can easily be replaced and some old minor restorations generally to the ebony. The rear right winged cherub is missing, the leaf at the back of three of the cherubs is different to the rest but this is hardly noticeable. A section of the rear drawer lining on the back of the drawer in the central niche is now missing but this is only visible when the drawer is taken out of the cabinet. The left side of the cabinet is a liitle more faded than the rest and would benefit from a light repolish according to taste. Stand: There are some very minor hairline spilts in the veneer and very minor losses the rear right and left sides of the platform base. The left side of the frieze is slightly faded which can easily be repolished. There is a minor vertical split running all the way down the front right leg which would need filling. There are some old very minor restorations to the legs generally. The platform base has some scuffing, scratches and a horizontal construction crack which is opening up but can easily be filled. There is a minor section chipped off the vertical ebonised moulding framing the far right pietre dure panel but this has been touched up and is hardly noticeable.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

此木櫃以幾何圖案設計之意大利彩色硬石鑲嵌，呈現建築美學風格，是十七世紀羅馬彩色硬石的獨有設計之一，不但是當時備受歡迎的訂製款式，更在十八及十九世紀貴族壯遊中盛極一時。諾森伯蘭公爵家族珍藏相信是全英國最優秀的硬石鑲嵌櫃器收藏，擁有名匠多明尼高‧古喬（Domenico Cucci）所製的法國皇室木櫃，享譽非凡臻作。此櫃可能由諾森伯蘭第一代公爵休（Hugh, 1st Duke of Northumberland ）（1714-1786年）及夫人伊莉莎白‧佩西（1716-1776年）於1773年在意大利旅遊期間購買，曾置於米德爾塞克斯（Middlesex）的塞恩別墅（Syon House）畫廊（Print Room）內，並在1823年添購了由莫雷爾與休斯（Morel and Hughes）製作的喬治四世底座，梣葉斑紋漆木鑲上十七世紀佛羅倫薩硬石片，刻劃果枝棲禽的圖案，是佛羅倫薩大公爵工坊之設計經典。

羅馬彩色硬石鑲嵌木櫃的潮流追溯至十六世紀探索羅馬的考古發現，燃起人們對高古藝術的熱忱，令英國壯遊者陶醉其中。羅馬的攝人魅力吸引資深藏家的銳利目光，而工藝品更開始採用古董大理石製作。人們仿傚古羅馬藝術的渴求，崇尚珍貴素材的矯飾主義風潮，憑藉羅馬天賦的豐富資源，於十六世紀中期一一融會貫通，造就了以「錦薈」（commessi）聞名的羅馬大理石鑲嵌作品。此櫃擁有矯飾主義建築風格特徵，例如三角頂飾、壁柱裝潢以及櫃面隱藏的抽屜，實是匠心獨運。

櫃中各種珍貴硬石的色彩光亮奪目、對比鮮明，配以華麗之鑲銅鎏金裝飾點綴其中，盡顯美態，珍罕不凡。